athletic’s junior link with carson

Nigel Carson's soccer school at Raincliffe School.'Timing a session...'Photo by Dave Barry 080947b

Published:11:07Saturday 14 May 2011

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Youth football will continue to have a place in the Borough of Scarborough, following the initiation of Scarborough Athletic FC’s own youth set-up.

Working alongside local soccer schools coach Nigel Carson, Boro have been making plans to implement an under-12s team over the past few months. It is hoped approval to join the Hull Boys Sunday League will be granted soon.

And club officials recently received news that an under-16 team had been accepted into the same league – which includes sides from Beverley, Bridlington, Driffield and Scarborough’s own Phoenix FC, as well as many from Hull.

The entire new Youth Development arm of Scarborough Athletic will be managed by Nigel Carson.

He and the team coaches will initially work with players from the under-12 and under-16 age brackets, with an aim to expand the set-up to include additional age groups in the future.

Nigel is well known locally and has delivered youth football coaching since 1994. He is trained to UEFA B Level (Level three) and holds the much acclaimed new FA Youth Module at Level three.

Nigel has been involved with the u11s district side for 12 years, and has seen the likes of Darren Clough, Josh Greening and Robbie Hawkes start their careers with him.

He is also a scout for Hull City’s youth set-up, and runs popular summer soccer schools in Scarborough.

He said: “I’m really excited to be getting involved with Scarborough Athletic, as the club are committed to encouraging local players to aspire to play at the highest level in the Borough.

“Over the past few years at George Pindar Sports College, and prior to that at Scarborough FC, Mitch Cook did a fantastic job in bringing on youngsters into adult football. His Scarborough Town squads were testament to that.

“I hope with this new set-up we can equal what was achieved there.”

The under-12s are to be managed by Phil Wallace, and coached by former Scarborough FC goalkeeper Kevin Martin and Guillio Armillei. The under-16s side will be managed by Eric Richardson and coached by Ian Wilson.

The pair approached Nigel and the club to begin an under-16s, to allow players to develop further to feed into Athletic’s under-19s and reserves sides over time.

Carson continued: “We are looking at training the sides twice a week, with me looking after one session and the team coaches taking another.

“The club can’t form a fully fledged Centre of Excellence yet due to its level in the pyramid. But we want to bring in more teams over time, and make sure it is done right.

“We want the best players in the area to play for Scarborough Athletic’s junior sides, under the best possible coaching, so that the can feed into the senior teams in the future and allow football in the town to flourish once again.

“The biggest thing for me is seeing these players develop and have a chance of becoming the area’s next Jono Greening or Michael Coulson.”

A trials day has been set up for players of both age groups on Saturday June 4 at George Pindar College to allow Nigel and the coaches to formulate their squads for next season.

Players are encouraged to come and try out for the two teams, with under-16s between 10am and noon, and under-12s at 1pm until 3pm.

When it comes to the season the under-16s will have use of a mini-bus for transport to matches. Parents who would like their children to come along should contact Nigel at ncss@hotmail.co.uk

The initiation of the two new sides means that Scarborough Athletic will have five competitive sides playing football next year, with the junior teams additional to the under-19s, reserves and first team.

Community Director Wendy Danby said: “Everyone at the club is very excited by the new set-up at junior level. It’s the next stage in a process to involve the entire community in our club.

“Over the past few months we have set up three new sides to complement the adult teams, and the club’s future on the field will be helped by the youngsters coming through.

“With Nigel Carson overseeing the continued development of the youth system, the set-up is in very capable hands, and we are now looking forward to the formation of the squads and the first games of the junior sides next season.”

If anyone is interested in sponsoring either side, please contact club commercial director Andy Troughton on 01723 368972.